Hyundai Inster, Kia EV3, Genesis Neolun shine at Busan auto show

BUSAN – Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea’s top automaker, on Thursday premiered the Inster, an all-electric crossover city car, the latest of its strengthened budget EV lineup, at the Busan International Mobility Show 2024.

At the biennial auto show held at the country’s largest port city, Hyundai’s standalone premium brand Genesis showcased the Neolun Concept, which will transform into its first full-size electric SUV, the GV90.

Hyundai’s sister firm Kia Corp., meanwhile, displayed the EV3, its low-cost SUV to lead its aggressive electrification push.

Another spotlight of the Busan auto show, which will run through July 7, was Renault Korea, which hosted a world premiere of the all-new Renault Grand Koleos, its first mid-size hybrid SUV developed under Renault Korea’s Aurora project to launch third-generation vehicles.

BMW and its small-car affiliate MINI also showcased their latest models at the motor show, where eco-friendly vehicles took center stage.

INSTER, DUBBED CASPER ELECTRIC IN KOREA

Building on the design legacy of the gasoline-powered Casper launched in 2021, the Hyundai Inster is an A-segment subcompact urban EV.

At the motor show, Hyundai showcased two types of the Inster, also called the Casper Electric in Korea: a standard one equipped with a 42 KWh battery, and the Long-Range Inster with a 49 KWh nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery that can run up to 355 km on a single charge.

Exterior design highlights include LED pixel-graphic turn signals, tail lamps and bumpers.

Inside, the Inster provides enhanced tech and convenience with a 10.25-inch digital cluster, a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and a wireless charging dock, according to Hyundai.

The company said it will launch the smaller electric SUV first in Korea this summer, followed by Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific. 

An additional variant, the Inster Cross, featuring a more rugged, outdoor-focused design, will join the Inster family in the future, the company said.

Chung Yoo-suk, vice president of Hyundai’s domestic business division, said the Casper Electric will sell at the high end of the 20 million won ($14,420) range in Korea. The retail price will come down further with state EV subsidies, he said.

GENESIS NEOLUN, KIA EV3

At the auto show, Hyundai Motor showcased two premium concept vehicles under its Genesis brand – the Neolun Concept and the X Gran Racer Vision Gran Turismo Concept.

The Neolun, a concept to evolve into the Genesis brand’s first full-size electric SUV, the GV90, was first unveiled at the New York International Auto Show in March.

The Neolun has coach doors without B-pillars connecting the vehicle’s body and roof. The layout provides a more open interior space than conventional vehicles while maximizing convenient passenger access.

Hyundai said the GV90 will be its first vehicle to sit on its next-generation EV manufacturing eM platform.

The X Gran Racer Vision was developed as part of Hyundai’s partnership with Sony’s Gran Turismo racing game franchise.

Kia, Korea’s second-largest automaker, showcased the EV3, with which it aims to reboot slowing growth in clean automobiles by offering cheaper models to budget-conscious drivers.

Built on Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the Kia EV3, equipped with an NCM battery, can travel up to 600 km on a single charge.

Kia plans to sell the EV3 in the $35,000-$50,000 range in Europe in the fourth quarter, as well as the US and other markets next year, after South Korea in July.

ALL-NEW RENAULT GRAND KOLEOS

Renault Korea, the Korean unit of French automaker Renault Group, debuted the all-new Renault Grand Koleos at the Busan auto show.

The new vehicle boasts a body length of 4,780 millimeters and a 2,820 mm wheelbase.

Renault Korea will begin taking pre-orders for the new model on Thursday with deliveries slated for later this year.

Emmanuel Al-Nawakil, head of sales and marketing at Renault Korea, said at the auto show that he hopes the new vehicle revitalizes its sales in Korea and abroad.

Write to Jae-Fu Kim and Jung-Eun Shin at hu@hankyung.com

In-Soo Nam edited this article.